Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for a left knee disability was denied.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability and lung disorder were both denied.,Ratings for right knee arthritis with limitation of motion and instability were remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability aggravated his left knee disability and whether obesity, which may be related to his service-connected right knee disability, contributed to his left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and a lumbar spine disability, both determined to be related to service. The effective dates of these decisions are based on the date of receipt of the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims.

The Veteran's throat condition, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and lumbar spine disability are all granted. The Veteran is also awarded a 40% rating for his lumbar spine disability over the entire appeal period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection for residuals of right and left knee injuries, as well as his claim for service connection for acid reflux (also claimed as ulcers and GERD). The claims are remanded due to a lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran contends that his current disabilities were caused by in-service parachute jumps. However, the Board found no new or material evidence to support these contentions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to September 22, 2010 did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a back condition and left ear hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions in prior VA examinations.,Additional VA examination or opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's current back conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea versicolor and remanded the issues of right knee disability and thoracolumbar spine disability due to active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but denied service connection for bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated as 10 percent prior to January 7, 2014 and granted separate ratings for instability and symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage. A rating of 60 percent or higher was granted from March 1, 2015 through November 5, 2018, but the Veteran's appeal remains for a rating in excess of 60 percent after that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right knee disabilities due to conflicting evidence regarding their onset in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination report and a need for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding functional loss due to hydrocodone use.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for chronic chondromalacia of the left knee is remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent from March 15, 2016 to October 31, 2016 due to limitation of flexion. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's total right knee replacement has been remanded for further development as the records are incomplete and authorization for additional private treatment records is needed.,The Veteran's total right knee replacement remains rated at 60 percent since November 21, 2019.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and medical opinion are inadequate for decision making purposes, and thus remanded the cases for an adequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's left great toe disability is granted a 10 percent rating. Ratings in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia patella of the right and left knees with x-ray evidence of osteoarthritis are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives regarding the need for regular aid and attendance (A&A) of another person or by reason of being housebound. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not fully evaluated in this decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee limitation of motion and instability, as well as his claim for TDIU prior to January 1, 2014. The remand is due to a lack of recent examination and clarity on when the Veteran last worked full time.

The Board denied service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and hemorrhoids, finding that there is not enough evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and active service. The case is being remanded for further development.